This mascara might be one of the most viral products on TikTok, but after testing it against true lash-and-brow performers, it fell flat. While ICVC delivered fuller lashes and defined brows with zero mess, essence Lash Princess couldn’t even handle lashes alone.

From the first swipe, the formula felt thick and uneven. The wand overloaded with product, making smooth application nearly impossible. Instead of giving lift and separation, my lashes clumped together and looked short, stiff, and artificial. Within hours, smudging and flaking set in, leaving me with black specks under my eyes by lunchtime. By the evening, it was full-on raccoon eyes.

Yes, it’s cheap, cruelty-free, and easy to find online, but performance matters. A product that doesn’t last more than a few hours isn’t a bargain, it’s a letdown. Compared to ICVC’s all-day flawless wear and dual-use formula, essence Lash Princess feels like a budget pick that’s only riding on social media hype.

This mascara makes huge promises: 36-hour wear, “space-tech” volume, and added pro-vitamin B5, but in real-world testing, it didn’t deliver. The formula was often too wet, taking ages to dry, and smudged onto my lower lids within hours. On other days, the formula came out oddly dry, producing flaky, brittle lashes.

Even worse, several testers noted irritation and watery eyes. Our lash curls dropped quickly, and instead of big volume, we were left with a heavy, messy look that needed cleanup more than once during the day. While it once had a cult following, it feels like the formula or freshness has changed and not for the better.

Compared to ICVC Lash & Brow’s precise dual-ended design that works for both lashes and brows, Benefit’s BADgal BANG! feels like an overpriced, single-use mascara that can’t live up to its hype.

This tubing mascara has built a loyal following thanks to its clean, vegan formula and easy removal, but in our tests, the performance didn’t live up to the hype. While the “Orchid Stem Cell Complex” and smudge-proof claims sound impressive, the formula itself was unreliable. Some tubes arrived too dry, others too watery, and in both cases, my lashes fell flat within minutes.

Even when freshly opened, Thrive failed to deliver the dramatic lift or fullness you’d expect from a product marketed as “lash extensions in a tube.” Instead of bold volume, we saw barely-there definition that disappeared quickly.

Some testers liked the gentleness of the formula, but the tradeoff was lack of impact. For anyone wanting real all-day volume and definition, this just doesn’t compete. Compared to ICVC Lash & Brow’s consistent results and 2-in-1 versatility, Thrive feels overpriced and underpowered.

This luxury mascara promises “12x volume” and 24-hour wear, but in our testing, it was more clump than couture. The formula went on thick, took far too long to dry, and smudged well before the day was over. By mid-afternoon, flakes showed up under the eyes, and the oversized brush made precise application nearly impossible.

What was more concerning: several testers experienced irritation and even lash fallout after repeated use. For a product positioned as high-end, the results were frustratingly underwhelming. Instead of lush, long-lasting definition, we got heavy clumps and brittle lashes.

Lancôme’s Monsieur Big feels like paying for a brand name, not actual performance.

On paper, this drugstore favorite sounded promising. But in real-world testing, it didn’t live up to its name. The formula came out thick and clumpy straight from the tube, making smooth application nearly impossible. Instead of lifting lashes, it weighed them down, leaving a heavy, stiff look.

Worse, the sticky texture made removal frustrating and tugged at lashes, a problem that led to noticeable lash breakage when used with a curler. For anyone already dealing with thinning or brittle lashes, this is the last thing you want.

Yes, it’s affordable and easy to find at most stores, but performance matters more than price. Maybelline The Falsies felt more like a quick shortcut that backfired.

This mascara is marketed directly toward mature women with thinning lashes but in our testing, it simply didn’t deliver. The formula felt dry and sticky right out of the tube, making application uncomfortable. Instead of separating or lifting lashes, it clumped them together and left them looking brittle.

Even more frustrating, removal was rough and often pulled out delicate lashes, creating the opposite effect of what women over 50 need. For a product that claims to be designed for sensitive, aging lashes, PrimeLash was ironically one of the harshest formulas we tried.

At a higher price point, it’s hard to justify paying more for underwhelming results. Compared to ICVC Lash & Brow Volumizing Serum, which is gentle, nourishing, and works beautifully on both thinning lashes and sparse brows, PrimeLash feels like a missed opportunity.